In the same way that StreetSmart - the excellent initiative that assists people who live on the street via a voluntary donation, automatically added to restaurant bills of participating restaurants, so does the newly launched Cape Country Meander's Voluntary Tax Programme spell out the environmental cost of being there, and offer an easy solution.
The recommended voluntary tax is proposed based on an average carbon calculation which includes:
Priced at R120 per ton CO2, each overnight tourist would be given the option of paying R13.92 per night for their carbon off-set. Each day visitor to a wine farm or mountain biking trail would be given the option of paying R8.00 per trip for their carbon offset.
The first project identified as a beneficiary of the Cape Country Meander's Voluntary Tax Programme is a greening project which would involve planting trees in selected areas, training local people to water and care for the trees and paying them a bi-annual stipend for this work. The programme will be branded as The Cape Country Meander Tree-preneur programme. A tree in a 20-litre container filled with composted soil, has the potential to permanently sequestrate 514kg CO2 over a 40-year lifetime.
The Theewaterskloof region, as represented by its joint tourism organisations and under the umbrella of the Theewaterskloof Municipality, is equally concerned about the preservation of its natural assets and the betterment of its communities and has set itself a target of becoming a leading centre of innovation and adaptation, recognised for its low carbon footprint.
The programme is committed to ensuring that all funds generated are ring-fenced and 100% invested in suitable local projects. Meticulous records of donations will be kept.
For more information go to www.thecapecountrymeander.co.za.
